Delivery and truck drivers in the beer and alcohol industry are responsible not only for transporting alcohol to and from distribution sites, but may also be responsible for loading and unloading cargo as well as recording the number of cases delivered. Depending on the size of the truck, some drivers in the alcohol industry are required to have a commercial driver's license.

Delivery and truck drivers in the beer and alcohol industry are responsible not only for transporting alcohol to and from distribution sites, but may also be responsible for loading and unloading cargo as well as recording the number of cases delivered. Depending on the size of the truck, some drivers in the alcohol industry are required to have a commercial driver's license.

Light Truck Delivery Drivers

Light truck drivers deliver beer to retail stores in vans and trucks that have less than 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight of capacity. As of 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that approximately 6,370 light truck delivery drivers were employed in the alcohol wholesale industry. These workers earned an average of $32,710 per year and $15.73 per hour. This was slightly less than the average of $33,120 per year and $15.92 per hour reported by light truck delivery drivers across all industries.

Drivers and Sales Agents

Some delivery drivers in the alcohol wholesale industry have added sales responsibility, such as taking orders and collecting payment. As of 2011, the BLS reports that approximately 15,070 drivers and sales agents were employed in the alcohol wholesale industry, averaging nearly $37,000 per year and $17.77 per hour. This is significantly more than the average of $27,490 per year and $13.22 per hour reported for this occupation across all industries.

Heavy Truck Drivers

Heavy truck drivers in the alcohol industry make large deliveries in trucks with a capacity of over 26,000 pounds of Gross Vehicle Weight. They typically deliver product from the manufacturer to large distribution hubs, and earn more than other delivery drivers because their job requires a commercial driver's license and postsecondary training. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 14,300 heavy truck drivers worked in the alcohol wholesale industry as of 2011, earning an average annual income of $41,560 and about $20 per hour. This is slightly more than the average of $39,830 per year and $19.15 per hour earned across all industries.

Occupational Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment growth among all delivery sales drivers, including those who deliver beer, will grow 10 percent between 2010 and 2020. Jobs for all light truck delivery drivers should grow15 percent during the same period. Competition for these jobs is expected to be high. Employment growth among heavy truck drivers is projected to occur at a comparatively fast rate of 21 percent over the coming decade, and employment prospects for this occupation are expected to be more favorable.

Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers earned a median annual salary of $28,020 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers earned a 25th percentile salary of $21,580, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $39,380, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 1,421,400 people were employed in the U.S. as delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers.